Seven Habits of Highly Effective Chemistry Learners

1. Know the math!

The problems you will solve in this course often require mathematical skills. If your math skills are weak, ask for help early. Don’t let difficulty with math obscure the chemical concepts you are studying.

2. Come to class.

The purpose of lecture is to highlight key concepts, expand on their implications, and to bring clarity to complex ideas. Be attentive and take notes on what the instructor says, as well as what s/he writes on the board.

3. Be prepared!

Your “understanding % yield per lecture” will be higher if you read the chapter before coming to class. You are more likely to understand a concept upon repeated exposure. If you come to class pre-exposed to the material, you will be better prepared to ask insightful questions.

4. Ask questions.

Make your tuition dollars work for you! Take advantage of the instructor’s understanding. All questions can lead to valuable insights, so don’t be afraid that yours is not an intelligent one. So ask questions in class, ask them in lab, and ask for help whenever you need it.

5. Study on a regular basis.

You are in this course because chemical concepts are foundational to some aspect of your chosen area of study. Not only will consistent, regular study make your life easier come exam time, but you will be more likely to retain the information your future coursework will build upon. Some study ideas:

Practice solving problems

Draw structures

Rewrite, review, or correct your notes

Occasionally memorize- as if learning vocabulary for a new language

6. Apply your knowledge (OWL is your friend).

Doing problems is the quickest way to discover whether your understanding is incomplete or incorrect. And as the saying goes, practice makes perfect!

7. Write things down.

Writing increases the assimilation of ideas into your long term memory. Do your problem-solving on paper. Making your own summary, outline, or flash cards of your readings or lecture notes can be helpful.

And let’s add an eighth…

8. Take a break!

Neuroscientists have shown that if you study for too long without taking a break, the brain chemicals required for efficient information processing become depleted. So take frequent short breaks and, as much as possible, get a good night’s sleep.